ScopeDesign Research
Visual Design
Ilustration
Experiential and Spacial Design
India TeamSaijan Kuruvila
Abhijay I
Sowmya J
Harsha P
Shreya Kulkarni
IBM Workplace Design
We were asked to create cultural and experiential graphics for upcoming IBM offices in India, bringing local stories, crafts and context into the workplace. The celebration of local culture is a signature component of the IBM workplace. We worked on creating a set of visual assets inspired by the artisans of India. The project began by conducting research to understand the meaning of color, patterns, materials, and other relevant elements that give prominence to the importance of local art.
My starting point was Patola textile patterns. Patola is a traditional textile art form from Patan in Gujarat, India, celebrated for its precision, cultural symbolism, and vibrant visual language. Visually, Patola textiles are defined by sharp symmetry and rhythmic, repeating motifs such as florals, animals, and geometric forms, arranged in bold colour contrasts. Coming from a textile background, I was interested in working at the intersection of craft and illustration.
I studied the symmetry and construction of the patterns, and explored how their logic could be simplified into forms that felt geometric and intentional while still retaining a sense of warmth.
IBM’s visual language emphasises clarity, structure, and well-engineered design. The challenge was to balance this with the richness of handcrafted references. Iterations focused on reducing complexity, refining shapes, and building compositions that felt ordered without losing their cultural origin.I explored Patola patterns through a visible grid, translating traditional motifs into a pixel precise system that aligned with the company’s structured design language.
Bold colours were used to reflect the vibrancy of Indian visual culture while keeping the compositions clear, balanced, and adaptable to a contemporary office setting.
I also explored animal motifs commonly found in Patola textiles, studying how these forms could be simplified within the grid while retaining their character. The motifs were reduced into geometric shapes so they could sit naturally within the larger pattern system, allowing traditional symbolism to be expressed through a contemporary and structured visual language.This project was developed as part of a larger team effort. Each designer researched and interpreted a different Indian artform, including Kasuti embroidery, Channapatna lacquerware, and Navalgund dhurries. Together, the work formed a cohesive visual system that connected diverse craft traditions through a shared brand language.This project is currently a work in progress and in the production phase. The visuals are being developed for implementation across multiple IBM offices in India.